Babes & Bathers: History of the Swimsuit

By SHERI RADFORD

The Vancouver Maritime Museum, which opened in 1959, sits in seaside Vanier Park

To November 2

Best known for displaying model ships, maritime art and the RCMP vessel St. Roch, the Vancouver Maritime Museum presents a more revealing exhibition this summer: Babes & Bathers: History of the Swimsuit. Running the gamut from modest to outrageous, the swimming costumes and teeny-weeny bikinis on display show the evolution of Vancouver’s seaside fashions from 1890 to 1980. And they just might inspire you to don a one-piece, tankini or Speedo and hit the local beaches.